What is CELTA

The Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, formerly 'Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults', is an initial qualification for teachers of English as a foreign language.

Teaching English worldwide

The Cambridge CELTA is a common requirement for those entering the field of English language teaching. Since it is recognised internationally, it is a particularly popular credential among people who wish to travel and teach English around the world. However, it is also held by people who intend to teach only in the country where they trained, and do not intend to travel.

The full-time Cambridge CELTA course runs for four weeks. The CELTA course is validated and certificates are issued by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), a part of the University of Cambridge.

Getting the certificate

The Cambridge CELTA is awarded upon passing the course, which includes six hours of assessed teaching practice to real EFL classes in at least two different levels of ability. The course grade is determined primarily by the performance of the candidates in this teaching practice; there are also four written assignments due throughout the course, which are graded on a pass/fail basis only. The grades awarded are Pass, Pass B and Pass A.

Recognition

The Cambridge CELTA is a globally-recognised qualification awarded by the University of Cambridge's non-profit assessment organization, Cambridge English Language Assessment (formerly Cambridge ESOL). The CELTA is also accredited by the UK Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) at Level 5 of the Qualifications and Credit Framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which corresponds to Level 5 of the ISCED.

The current Cambridge CELTA replaced the RSA/Cambridge CELTA in 2001. In 1996, RSA/Cambridge CELTA replaced the RSA/Cambridge CTEFLA (the Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults), jointly administered by the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) and UCLES. The RSA/Cambridge CTEFLA replaced the RSA Certificate in 1985.